typicalsundayxj

So I'm doing by 3 inch lift and the rear shock bolts have almost all broken any good advice on how to tackle this....any help would be much appreciated thank you

CPLSeraphim

Yeah, this is a very common problem, with an even easier fit. for the uppers, use an air chisel, or a regular chisel and a BFH and punch the rest of each bolt through, knocking the weld nut off. The run string (i used dental floss, and you can use fishing line for strength), and run it threw each hole. From there you will have had to buy 4 bolts and 4 nuts, pull the string through the opening at the top. Tie the bolt in and run it through the top part of the hole, so the threaded part is facing downwards, where the shock mounts. Then, place shock and tighten the nut and washer. Do this for all four. I will post a link in a few minutes with good visuals.

PS: the search function on the upper left has many threads on this topic.^^^^

CPLSeraphim

link found within a minute of using the Search feature above. It is your friend. Search before you ask a question will save you a lot of time and ridicule. lol

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/broken-upper-rear-shock-bolts-oh-my-easy-fix-no-cutting-111475/


https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/help-broke-rear-shock-mounts-109601/


https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/broken-shock-bolt-fix-63649/

typicalsundayxj

Hey man thanx for the help ill have to remember that next time for the search much appreciated just saved a whole lot of time

bnkk

not sure if covered but the bolts are 5/16 but some people replace them with slightly bigger size. i think i got inch and a half bolts grade 8

CPLSeraphim

No problem. A lot of people get annoyed answering the same questions over and over, lol. I used slightly larger bolts... that would still fit in the shocks. And I forgot to mention, use wide washers to help prevent the bolt pulling through the shock mounts, as the could potentially suck *****. lol.

I had to do this when i lifted mine, and i had to use an air chisel, which cost me about 40 bucks, but saved me the PITA of trying to hammer, as that wasn't working out to well for me. Good luck, and I used cinnimon dental floss. Apparently that gives you a 5% increase in getting it through the first time. lol.

Thunder & Lightning

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JEEP-CHEROKE...item2c5f6eb7ff Don't know if 3 inch lift makes a difference but this is an easy fix . Lot of them sold. No problem with mine on stock xj.

DirtRoadXJ

pretty cool

typicalsundayxj

thanx for the help guys!

Savage71

just did mine last night. thanks to this forum, i knew what i was in for. Sure enough, all 4 bolts broke...even after soaking in pb for a week (sprayed it on topside of bolts too). used 8" punch and 3lb hammer. some were easier than others...all told, spent about 1 hr banging on them before they were all out. then used 20 gauge wire to fish 5/16 x 1 1/4 grade 8 bolts & washers through. was ridiculously easy to do this. getting a wrench on the bolt was a little awkward, but about 30 min after the factory nuts were punched out, the project was done. Thanks for the help guys. gotta do the fronts now.

xjsnake

Next time you have to do the rear shocks on an XJ buy or borrow an air hammer. When the nuts are all out in 2 minutes you will never believe you actually used a hammer and punch at one point in time...

Savage71

agreed. thought about that a few times when my arm was aching...funny part is that i have an air hammer...just couldn't find the punches/chisels for it.

CPLSeraphim

Yeah, definately easier and much better that cutting the floorpans in the rear of the vehicle, which, i believe was an earlier method... and would suck. LOL. This way is much more preferred for an every XJ problem...

bnkk

Not sure about anyone else but ive only broken bolts using hand tools on my xj. When i use air and sometimes heat never broke one yet.

xjsnake

Have you done your rear shocks yet?

Oh and don't waste your time trying to heat the weld nuts on the upper shock bolts, all you do is melt your carpet (ask me how I know...)

Break the bolts (can be done with a 1/4 drive ratchet surprisingly) and punch out the weld nuts.

By the time I ran the air hose and dug out the air hammer I probably spent 10 mins extra by breaking the bolts.